Luke 7:11-17 Locals and Compassion
Okay, so lets notice one thing off the top. There is no mention of faith in this text. In the last text we saw the amazing and confident faith of the centurion and were reminded that Jesus is establishing new criteria for belonging. In this text there is no mention of faith at all. This event seems to be driven purely by the compassion of Jesus.
So what do we learn from this story. I take it as a given that during this time there were other widows who lost sons. So Jesus certainly isn’t working to eliminate such tragedy on a global or even regional scale. So why this healing. His help is not requested, he is not sought out, he does not ask them about their faith.
Let’s start with an easier question. What function does this story serve in the narrative. For starters it clarifies that although Jesus is broadening his interest beyond the Jews, he has not forgotten Jews. If we have this impression it would not be without reason, and this story clarifies that just because Jesus cares about people we expect him to disdain, he has not forgotten to care for people we expect him to care about. (Of course she certainly meets the poor and oppressed category.)
In fact there is an important contrast between the recipients of these two healings. The centurion is a Roman, man, wealthy, powerful, unclean, enemy of Israel (although this one apparently is nicer than most). The widow, is a woman, poor (especially due to ancient property laws that would have taken her property upon her sons death) Jewish, and other such nice things.
Secondly, this story prepares us for the arrival of John’s messengers. We will see that in the next section. As a side note, it also introduces the notion of resurrection, and displays Jesus compassion.
So if it is rather straightforward to see why Luke would include this story in his narrative and how it forms a foil to the healing of the centurion’s servant and a bridge to the encounter with John’s servant, it is perhaps less straightforward to see how this healing fits in Jesus ministry. For the reasons I mentioned above and more, it is hard to see how this ministry fits into Jesus ministry plan. It does not focus on faith, it does not broaden the kingdom, it is not used as a sign.
I find myself forced to include that we find in this story a remarkably simple healing. It seems that Jesus came upon a scene of tragedy and his heart was moved and he acted. I find in this story a wonderful principle. To be purpose driven, missional, and vision oriented, is wonderful, but we cannot become those who are so driven that our heart can no longer break. I suppose there is a balance to be achieved, but this story lines up with the Good Samaritan to reminds me that when I am too busy to respond to the needs I meet, I am too busy.
-Ethan
3 Responses to 'Luke 7:11-17 Locals and Compassion'
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on August 3rd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Hmmm – the context of your sentence seems to imply that often those who are “purpose driven, missional, and vision oriented” are so driven that their hearts no longer break OR am I misreading you?
on August 3rd, 2007 at 2:50 pm
I will not speak for all who are PD,M, and VO but I know that I am easily capable of developing a hard heart when I feel that somehow I have a higher purpose. I definitely have been a part of conversations where a focus on purpose allowed me and others to fail to have sufficient compassion for those who are hurting.
To use the example of the Levite in the story of the good Samaritan, I have always wondered. “Was he on the was to the temple?” Did he have some pressing errand, some mission that was clearly the work of God that prevented him from stopping? Helping that man would have rendered him unclean. He simply could not stop to help that man and fulfill his God-given mission.
So I suppose there hearts may break, but they (and I) may feel so bound to some “larger” purpose that we can’t stop to help because to help in an interruption. I think this is also one of the lessons of Jesus invitation to children. In some ministry class I read a book that talked about how ministry is the interruptions and if we have a perspective on our own tasks that does not allow for interuptions we have gotten something wrong.
I know these thoughts are pretty rambling but I guess I would sum up by saying, “Yes, I do think that a person who is highly vision oriented must take great care that this vision does not actually prevent them from living with compassion and grace as they go..”
on August 3rd, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I know and appreciate your heart on Christ-like compassion for nterruptions.
“Vision myopia” isn’t restricted to the purpose-driven, missional folks – those concerned about Biblically accurate theology (like me) are just as prone to walk on the other side of the road…